Building an Arcade Cabinet From Scratch

Have you ever dreamed of owning a vintage arcade cabinet?

I decided to build my own from scratch, using affordable materials and a Pandora’s Box with 5,000+ classic games. The project included woodworking, electronics, and creative design, all for under €200.

With a bit of effort, this DIY arcade cabinet became the centerpiece of our living room, and my kids absolutely love it! Here’s how you can make one too.

Big thanks and congrats to rolfebox for his instructable which is excellent. I took from him the measurements of the wood panels. The box I built is in the end quite different : Pandora Box instead of Raspberry PI, U-Molding instead of T-Molding, bluetooth amplifier to be able to play audio from other sources than the box, etc etc.

What I bought (the links below are part of the Amazon Associates program) :

1. A pandora box
2. An audio amplifier. This one is bluetooth, so that external audio source can be used (play music from your phone on the arcade cabinet :) )
3. Two speakers
4. One electric junction box
5. One switch power socket switch
6. One power strip, including USB is better
7. Wire terminals crimping kit
8. Led strips
9. Some yellow U-molding
10. Arcade stickers, found them on eBay
11. 2 pieces of OSB wood
12. Black paint
13. Different tools for wood
14. Different tools for electricity

Note : The Pandora Box is a retro gaming console that emulates classic arcade games. It features a compact design, preloaded games, and plug-and-play functionality, connecting easily to TVs or monitors. Popular among retro gaming enthusiasts, it offers a nostalgic arcade experience at home.

The first step was designing and cutting the cabinet from OSB wood.

I took the same measurements for the wood cut as rolfebox.

I measured and marked the panels to create a classic arcade shape, then used a jigsaw for precise cuts. Once all pieces were ready, I assembled the structure using screws and wood glue, ensuring stability. The top section was designed to fit a 19-inch monitor, while the bottom housed the electronics.

After the frame was ready, I sanded the surface for a smoother finish, prepping it for painting and decoration.

Once the cabinet was assembled and tested, I moved on to painting.

I chose a glossy black paint to give it a sleek, retro look. After letting the paint dry, I added custom stickers and decals for that authentic arcade vibe. These details transformed the cabinet into a visually striking piece. You can find arcade-themed stickers online or design your own for a personal touch.

The Pandora’s Box gaming console was the heart of the system, offering thousands of retro games.

I mounted the screen inside the cabinet and connected it to the console. For sound, I used an amplifier and two speakers, which I securely placed in the top section for maximum audio impact. Wiring everything together required careful organization to keep it neat and functional.

A power strip inside the cabinet ensured all components had a single, easy-to-access power source.

The final touch consists of putting the stickers and finally the U-Molding.

Building this arcade cabinet was both challenging and rewarding. The total cost was around €200, thanks to affordable materials like OSB wood and the versatile Pandora’s Box. Beyond the budget-friendly aspect, the joy of playing retro games with my kids on something I built from scratch is priceless.